The Frei Compagnie

19th June, 2025

By Wayne Reynolds

The Frei Compagnie are a small non-profit re-enactment group with close affiliation to the Towton Battlefield Society, European Historical Combat Guild (EHCG), and Kunst Des Fechtens (KDF) – Medieval martial arts institutions. (As seen at the Royal Armouries and International Medieval Congress).

We primarily present an interpretation of aspects of 15th-century English martial and civil society as accurately as possible, with particular focus on the Wars of the Roses period.

The Frei Compagnie put on an interactive display, where our members are happy to speak to visitors and talk about their aspect of medieval life. Visitors may be able to hold some of the replica items themselves to get an idea of what life was like during 15^th Century Yorkshire.

You can find us at Murton park in the “Tudor house” and the surrounding area. (The house is fairly close to a late 15^th century building). The house has been commandeered by knights on campaign during the Wars of the Roses.

Our display in the kitchen area of the house shows medieval civilian life with displays of cooking, sewing and weaving. There’s every chance that a pottage will be cooking on the fire.

I wonder if you can spot the high status items introduced by the presence of a knight’s retinue of glassware, copper plates and padlocked boxes?

Crafts people and traders can be found in other rooms and in nearby areas as part of a knight’s retinue. These consist of wood workers/carvers, arrow fletching, leather working, musicians, medicine, pewter casting, rope-making, children’s toy and game making.

Visitors are welcome to play the games and learn how to play popular medieval board games such as “Nine Men’s Morris”.

Visitors may also see an impressive selection of wood working tools and demonstrations of how they were used in the 15^th Century. How similar might they be to modern tools?

Frei Compagnie woodworker

The knight’s retinue features a barber surgeon who has a display of medieval surgical tools. They will happily describe the medical techniques of the 15^th Century. Including leeches!

The knights and their military retinue of archers and billmen can be found. With extensive displays of military weapons; swords, axes, maces, hammers, arrows of all kinds, bills and polearms. Our experienced combatants are happy to talk about combat techniques employed by each weapon and their application on the battlefield.

The knights are often in full plate armour and can be seen practicing their combat skills with friendly duels. Showing the application of combat techniques and how they work on an opponent.

Should you wish to see more of what we do, we have a Facebook page for events, photos and videos; https://www.facebook.com/freicompagnie/

We look forward to seeing you at Murton Park on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July.

If you haven’t got park admission, you can buy it here.

The Frei Compagnie

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